Animal Control

About

Animal Control handles all kinds of animals, from injured/sick birds, snakes, and skunks, to providing traps to those who need to get a pesky critter out of the yard. Looking for and taking care of lost animals, such as horses, pigs, cows, and dogs, is a significant part of the job.

Dog Information

In order to keep dogs safe and to protect them, there are a few things you must know.

License your dog every year by April 30

The State of New Hampshire requires that every owner or keeper of a dog four months old or older shall annually cause it to be registered, numbered, described, and licensed for one year in the city or town in which the dog is kept. The license shall be effective from May 1st of each year to April 30th of the subsequent year.

All dogs must have a current rabies vaccination at time of licensing. Vaccinations are generally for a three-year period; for a young dog, the first one may be only for a year before being re-administered.

How much does it cost?

How do I license my dog?

You can register your dog in person at the Town Clerk's Office during regular office hours. To register online, visit Online Dog Licensing.

What happens if I don't license my dog?

Failure to license your dog is a violation of State law. After June 1, any unlicensed dog will pay an additional fee of $1.00 per dog. After mid-July, there will be a $25.00 fine per dog in addition to the late fee.

Candia has a leash law

Your dog should always be under your control. This is for the dog’s safety as well as the safety of other animals and/or people.

Report dog bites

If a dog bites another person it must be reported immediately to the Animal Control Officer. If the Animal Control Officer is not available it should be reported to the Candia Police Department.

• Sometimes people feel guilty about reporting. Reporting is not about a dog and it’s owner being in trouble. It is about the safety of the victim, the dog and the dog’s owners.
• The dog that has done the biting must be quarantined for a period of ten (10) days. If dog is up-to-date with rabies vaccination it may be quarantined at home with approval of the Animal Control Officer. (The law is clear that even though a dog is up-to-date with rabies shots there must be a 10-day quarantine as no vaccination can always be 100% effective. The Animal Control Officer will go over this in detail.)
• If the dog that has done the biting is not up-to-date with its rabies shot the owner will have to surrender the animal to the Animal Control Officer or Police Officer (in some cases to his or her veterinarian) for 10-day observation.
• A health certificate from your veterinarian is required at the end of the quarantine period before the dog can be released from quarantine.

When is a dog considered to be a nuisance, a menace, or vicious

Under section NHRSA 466:31:II, a dog is considered to be a nuisance, a menace, or vicious to persons or to property under any or all but not limited to the following conditions:

• (a) If a dog is "at large," which means it is off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under the control of any person by means of personal presence and attention as will reasonably control the conduct of such dog, unless accompanied by the owner or custodian. This subparagraph shall not include a dog which is being used for hunting, supervised competition, exhibition, or training for such activities if accompanied by the owner or custodian, or a dog which is guarding, working, or herding livestock, as defined in RSA 21: 34-a, II(a)(4), meaning that the owner or custodian must be able to see or hear the dog, or have reasonable knowledge of where the dog is hunting or herding, or where training is being conducted or where trials are being held, provided that such dog does not have to be within sight at all time;
• (b) If it barks for sustained periods of more than 1/2 hour, or during the night hours so as to disturb the peace and quiet of a neighborhood or area, not including a dog which is guarding, working, or herding livestock, as defined in RSA 21:34-a, II(a)(4);
• (c) If it digs, scratches, or excretes, or causes waste or garbage to be scattered on property other than its owner's;
• (d) If any female dog in season (heat) is permitted to run at large or be off the premises of the owner or keeper during this period except when being exercised on a leash by a responsible adult. At all other times such dog shall be confined within a building or enclosure in such manner that she will not come in contact (except for intentional breeding purposes) with a male dog. A female dog in heat shall not be used for hunting;
• (e) If it growls, snaps at, runs after, or chases any person or persons not on the premises of the owner or keeper;
• (f) If it runs after, or chases bicycles, motor vehicles, motorcycles, or other vehicles being driven, pulled or pushed on the streets, highways, or public ways;
• (g) If, whether alone or in a pack with other dogs, it bites, attacks, or preys on game animals, domestic animals, fowl or human beings.

Penalties associated with these offenses: